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International/Global Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,594/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 81 International/Global Studies programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International/Global Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $588K $583K $549K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 13.0x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 50% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,732
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,225
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-Madison's International/Global Studies graduates start at $40,594/yr — above the $34,873 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI International/Global Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in International/Global Studies's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,732 in median debt clears quickly against $40,594 in annual earnings.

At #10 of 81 nationally, this is a top-5% International/Global Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $61,225 show a 51% jump from the $40,594 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 35,665 students enrolled in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other $75,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 81 schools offering International/Global Studies →

International/Global Studies at Other Schools

Bentley University ($75,006) University of Notre Dame ($69,362) American Public University System ($64,133) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($55,240) Boston College ($51,371) University of Maryland-Baltimore County ($49,115) University of California-Berkeley ($46,660) College of the Holy Cross ($46,530)

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chemical Engineering ($85,945) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,260) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,018) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,566) Industrial Engineering ($80,435) Insurance ($78,796) Materials Engineering ($76,662) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,513)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare International/Global Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International/Global Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International/Global Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's International/Global Studies program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 81 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →